The Tribune

HURRICANE Sandy didn’t stop the cameras rolling for the four-day film festival, ‘FLIFF On Location: Grand Bahama Island.’

It wrapped up with an awards ceremony and official closing at Pelican Bay Hotel’s Canal House.

Hotel general manager and chairman of Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, Magnus Alnebeck offered thanks to the visiting filmmakers who braved the ship ride over on the Bahamas Celebration with rough seas.

The outcome was worth it, as the opening night boasted a full event and numbers continued to be good throughout the weekend at screenings and the Career Achievement tribute to Giancarlo Esposito which was sponsored by Grand Bahama Port Authority.

After the bad weather passed filmmakers were shown some of the island’s beautiful locations in the hope of luring them back to Grand Bahama for future film projects.

Films screened came from Cuba, USA, Cameroon, France, and of course The Bahamas.

The weekend culminated with a simple awards ceremony before the filmmakers and organisers faced another challenge - getting everyone safely home with the airport being flooded.

Bahamian film winners were:

Open Category - The Price of Being a Man - Edmund S. Moxey

College Category - Who Are We? - Brittney Armbrister

High School Category - The Blame - Tiahjah Smith

The international films winners were:

Best Film - Drama: Una Noche

Best Film - Comedy: Sex, Lies & Surgery

Best Film - Comedy / Drama: Supporting Characters

Best Documentary: The Black Miami

Most Innovative: How Do You Write Joe Shermann Song?

“What struck me most was just how different all the films were (broad comedies, dark dramas, documentaries) yet they were all so strong, specific and special. The result being that I was so much less competitive than normal, and so much more inspired,” said Daniel Schecher, Director/Co-Writer, Supporting Characters (USA).

“FLIFF was an amazing experience on many levels. Despite the hurricane we got to see great movies and meet inspiring filmmakers both from The Bahamas and other countries. We were blown away by the warm Bahamian reception. I would love to shoot there in the future. Thank you so much for inviting us,” said Lucy Mulloy, Director/Writer, Una Noche (Cuba)

“FLIFF on Location in Grand Bahama was an amazing mix of filmmakers, friends and culture, all of which made my stay a truly remarkable experience, I’d love to live again and again.  Suffice it to say, FLIFF on Grand Bahama rocks!” said Tarik Lowe, Co-Writer/Star, Supporting Characters (USA).

“I truly enjoyed my experience at FLIFF Grand Bahama.

“The intimate setting allowed me to connect with the audience and the other filmmakers there, which is not always the case at other festivals. I was definitely inspired by and honoured to be included in the diverse mix of programming. I look forward to seeing the festival grow in the coming years and am proud to have been a part of it from nearly the beginning,” said Gary King, Director, Writer, How Do You Write a Joe Shermann Song (USA).

‘FLIFF On Location: Grand Bahama Island’ was a collaboration between the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board.